Hubble Images Become Tactile 3-D Experience for the Blind

Below is some of the text from an article posted on the NASA Hubble Space Telescope site on the use of 3-D printing to produce tactile 3-D astronomical images for the blind and visually impaired:

"Three-dimensional printers are transforming the business, medical, and consumer landscape by creating a vast variety of objects, including airplane parts, football cleats, lamps, jewelry, and even artificial human bones."

"Now astronomers Carol Christian and Antonella Nota of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Md., are experimenting with the innovative technology to transform astronomy education by turning images from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope into tactile 3-D pictures for people who cannot explore celestial wonders by sight. The 3-D print design is also useful and intriguing for sighted people who have different learning styles, said the researchers. Christian and Nota admit their task is a challenge because astronomers really can't see space objects in three dimensions."

You can read the complete article here: http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-images-become-tactile-3-d-experience-for-the-blind/#.Us91WfSrweo